Mountain Cove Vineyards

(Been there, checked it!)

Mountain Cove Vineyard is in the center of rural Nelson County, rich in orchards, organic farms, and woodlands. When you visit our winery, please plan on lingering in the area. Our Farm is next to the Fortunes Cove Preserve, and we delight in pointing out hiking and mountain biking routes. We offer wine tastings and winemaker’s tours of our winery detailing each step of the wine making process.

Surrounded by hills, the welcoming lawn invites you to picnic and enjoy our farm. The fully modern winery is housed in a fieldstone building. A rustic salesroom offers a wide variety of wines and gift items. Al or Emily will try to welcome you when you visit. Al, is often in the fields or spending time on the road building a Virginia response to climate change, but will most often be your host.

Tasting Room Hours: March-October, Wednesday-Sunday 11 AM to 6 PM; November and December, 11 AM to 5 PM. Tastings are free.

We visited Mountain Cove on 26 September 2010. Mountain Cove Vineyards was founded in 1973 by Al and Emily Weed – the same two folks who run it and greet visitors today. Al and Emily were pretty isolated way back when, but no more, with nearly two dozen wineries within a 30 minute drive. The vineyards are settled into the crook of the mountains, just as their farm buildings have settled into the land; it’s hard to tell whether the morning glories are growing up around the barn, or the barn is sinking into the flowers.

All photos from this winery

A small patio outside the rustic log cabin tasting room seats a handful of visitors – or could become a waiting area for tastings, since the minuscule tasting bar is crowded with just Rick and I.

Small, outdoor weddings welcome; parking for buses and RVs; plenty of space on the lawn for bring-your-own picnics.

Tinto (norton, chambourcin, cab franc blend), Skyline White (villard blanc – vidal blanc blend), Skyline Rose (semi-dry blend rose), blackberry, apple, peach.

Note: Our iPhone had no AT&T cell signal at this winery, so make sure you have your GPS or directions fired up before you go!

From Charlottesville,
take US 29 south for about 30 miles to the intersection on the right of SR 718 (Mtn Cove Rd). Follow the grape signs.

From Lynchburg,
take US 29 north, past the Nelson County High School and turn left on SR 651. Follow the grape signs for 3.5 miles to the winery.